Miche

Miche is the brand of Fabbrica Accessori Cicli di Michelin S.P.A., based in San Vendemiano in that bicycle-rich region of Italy that lies between Venice and the Dolomites. The Company was founded by Ferdinando Michelin in ‘the dusty times after WW1’, perhaps in 1919. In that Italian way, it’s a family business, handed down from Ferdinando to his son Italo and now run by Ferdinando’s grandson, Luigi.

I have always had a quiet liking for Miche equipment - it may not have the luxury feel of top-of-the-range Campagnolo, but, over the decades it has consistently been stylish, practical and reasonable value for money. Miche may miss out on the very heights of quality - but their designs demonstrate a refreshing lack of arrogance - rare in a European company. Their main business has always seemed to me to be hubs and chainsets, and recently they have positioned themselves as the fixed wheel component brand of choice.

In terms of derailleurs, Miche currently sell groupsets completed with Campagnolo derailleurs (branded as Campagnolo). However in the 1980’s and 1990’s they rebranded SunTour derailleurs with the Miche name.